The defending  champions  claimed a single win during the past nine games in all competitions in a season that could be the worst in the club’s history.

They lie sixth in the league table with 29 points, eight points behind leaders Ahly who played two matches less.

After slumping to a humiliating 3-0 loss to Pharco FC in the Egyptian league last week, Zamalek's re-appointed coach asked his players to forget their poor results and to focus on the CAF Champions League group stage that started on Friday.

But it seems that the players did not heed their coach's advice as they lost 1-0 at home to Algerian side Belouizdad who registered the first win for the Algerian sides in Egypt.

“I am so frustrated with the defeat,” coach Jesualdo Ferreira told the post-match news conference.

“Our performance was better than in the previous matches, but we are still far from performing as we should.”

“The problem is that we have no time to prepare the team well.”

The Portuguese coach announced his list for the game that saw the absence of team’s fullback Ahmed Fatouh who picked-up a muscle injury against  Belouizdad.

Tunisian defender Hamza Methlouthi appeared in the list for the first time since the Cairo derby after recovering from a calf injury.

The White Knights' mission will not be easy against the Alexandria-based side who is looking  to quit their 12 th place in the league table.

“The game is very important for us,” Smouha assistant coach Ahmed Hassan told reporters on Sunday.

“We will be looking to win to improve our situation in the league table,”

“We know that Zamalek is suffering now but we are focusing on our team and we are determined to win the game.” he concluded 

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